BRIDGTON, Maine — An Alfred man wanted on several felony warrants who allegedly eluded police for most of the day Thursday is now in custody.
The Maine State Police Southern Field Troop learned at about 10 a.m. Thursday the York County Sheriff's Office was pursuing 33-year-old Garrett Littlefield of Alfred in a motor vehicle pursuit, Maine Department of Public Safety spokesperson Shannon Moss said in a news release.
Littlefield, who had a suspended license, was believed to be under the influence while operating a stolen vehicle. He also had several felony warrants out for his arrest, according to Moss.
"In York County, this pursuit took place in Acton and Newfield, along the Maine/New Hampshire border with Littlefield crossing in and out of Maine," the release said. "Initially, Littlefield was driving a maroon 1986 Chrysler LeBaron in Acton that was stolen from a residence in Acton when Deputies were able to deploy spike mats and successfully disable the vehicle. Littlefield then fled on foot before stealing another vehicle, a blue 2014 Ford F-150 from a nearby residence."
Littlefield, who was then operating the Ford pickup truck, was pursued for a short time before law enforcement lost sight of him on back roads, the release stated. Several law enforcement agencies in Oxford and Cumberland counties were notified and began monitoring roads for him.
Moss said members of the public then began reporting traffic complaints of the pickup truck heading north on Route 302 in Bridgton. Law enforcement searched the area but did not locate Littlefield. His last known location at the time, was headed toward Harrison on Route 117 in Bridgton.
"At approximately 1:00 pm, a Trooper set up on Rt. 121 in Otisfield watching for the blue Ford pickup that Littlefield was last known to be operating," the release said. "While monitoring traffic, he observed a black Chevy pickup truck blow through a stop sign at over 100mph. The Trooper started a pursuit with this vehicle on Rt. 121 into Casco."
By then, law enforcement believed Littlefield had ditched the Ford pickup truck and stole a third vehicle. Shortly after, the Ford pickup truck was located a short distance away from a dealership on Main Street in Oxford, which is where the Chevrolet truck was determined to be stolen from, according to the release.
"Another Trooper was set up to deploy spike mats at the intersection of Rt. 121 and Rt. 11 in Casco, which was the direction the pursuit was headed," the release said. "This spike deployment was successful, and the truck continued southbound on Rt. 121 until at least 2 tires fell off and the truck went into a ditch."
Littlefield and his passenger, identified as 22-year-old Shantel Rodriguez of Biddeford, fled the crash scene on foot. Moss said Rodriguez was quickly apprehended, but Littlefield had run off into a wooded area.
Maine State Police were assisted by several agencies in searching the wooded area, but search efforts were unsuccessful.
Rodriquez was taken to a hospital for evaluation and then later transported to the Cumberland County Jail where she was charged with assault on a police officer, assault on a police K-9, refusing to submit, and violation of conditions of release, according to Moss.
"At approximately 5:20 pm, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office received complaints of a large dump truck traveling north on Rt. 302 in Bridgton driving erratically and at excessive speeds," the release said. "Deputies attempted to stop the dump truck, but the operator eluded police. The operator of the dump truck came to a stop at the Big Apple gas station on Rt. 302 in Bridgton."
According to Moss, the driver then got out of the dump truck and attempted to strongarm a couple out of their green 2022 Subaru Outback at a gas pump. The couple was not injured.
Law enforcement who were already on the scene were able to quickly take the driver of the dump truck into custody, where they were identified as Littlefield.
Moss said it was later learned that Littlefield had stolen the dump truck from a new housing development off of Hemlock Road in Casco.
Littlefield was also taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation before being taken to the Cumberland County Jail. He is charged with eluding, failure to stop, reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, driving to endanger, theft by unauthorized taking, operating while under suspension, and violation of conditions of release.
No further details were released.